Washington, D.C., International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned on July 16 five Somali Muslim men assaulted and seriously injured a Christian man in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for reading a book critical of the Prophet Muhammad.

Falahow refused to surrender the book and reminded them that they were living in Addis Ababa and not in Mogadishu, and [...]]]> Washington, D.C., International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned on July 16 five Somali Muslim men assaulted and seriously injured a Christian man in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for reading a book critical of the Prophet Muhammad.

Falahow refused to surrender the book and reminded them that they were living in Addis Ababa and not in Mogadishu, and therefore had religious freedom.

One of the Muslim men attempted to seize the book from Falahow’s grasp, but when he failed, he proceeded to punch and kick Falahow. Fourother Muslim men joined in, ganging up on Falahow and beating him mercilessly.

Falahow suffered injuries that included a broken leg and cuts to his face. Currently, he is recovering in a safe house provided by the Somali Christian community in Addis Ababa. The incident has been reported to the police.

A Somali church leader in Addis Ababa spoke to ICC, describing the attacks as ‘a brutal attempt to subdue the growing Somali Christian community in Addis Ababa’

This is not the first time that Somali Muslims have attacked Somalis who converted to Christianity in Addis Ababa. However, this is the first time that such an attack took place in a crowded public place.

Jonathan Racho, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, said “Several Somali Christians have been killed by Islamic radicals in Somalia and many have left their country due to the persecution they face. Sadly, they don’t escape from persecution even after they leave their country. We urge Ethiopian authorities to stop the attempt by Islamists to import their violent ideologies from Somalia. The mistreatment of Christian converts will get worse unless the authorities take action against the individuals responsible for attacking Falahow.”

Nearly 1,000 citizens from all 50 states signed the free petition on [...]]]> RALEIGH, N.C. /Christian Newswire/ — The Pray In Jesus Name Project is faxing more than 140,000 petitions to the North Carolina State-House, demanding legislators reverse Speaker Joe Hackney’s ban against the forbidden word “Jesus” during public prayers spoken by volunteer pastors giving the invocation.

Nearly 1,000 citizens from all 50 states signed the free petition on the first day, which was then faxed to each of 120 North Carolina State Representatives and all 50 Senators.

On May 31, Speaker Hackney verbally banned Jesus’ name as “illegal speech” by disinviting Pastor Ron Baity from praying before the legislature after pre-screening the prayer content and objecting to his closing words, “in Jesus name.” No written policy exists banning prayer content, but the Speaker is now writing one.

“I got fired,” said Ron Baity, pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. He had been invited to lead prayer for an entire week but his tenure was cut short when he refused to remove the name Jesus from his invocation.

“Our petition campaigns have helped reverse Jesus-bans in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, Oregon, California and Virginia, and now we fight for free religious speech in North Carolina,” said former Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, leader of The Pray in Jesus Name Project. Klingenschmitt himself was punished for praying “in Jesus name” in uniform in 2006, but was later vindicated by the U.S. Congress. “Pastor Baity is a hero for refusing to water-down his prayers,” he said.

Despite deceptive claims by the ACLU’s easily-offended atheist complainers, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals specifically authorized legislatures to allow Jesus-prayers in Turner v. Fredericksburg, when Justice O’Connor wrote: “the Establishment Clause does not absolutely dictate the form of legislative prayer. In March, the legislature employed a single chaplain…the legislature in Simpson allowed a diverse group of church leaders from around the community to give prayers at open meetings. Both varieties of legislative prayer were found constitutional.”

Concerned citizens are encouraged to sign the free petition at prayinjesusname.org and tweet these words on Facebook and Twitter:

Speaker of the House Bans “Jesus” as illegal speech during prayers, fires Pastor. Sign free petition! http://tinyurl.com/illegaljesus

Muhammad Guul Hashim Idiris, a Christian convert from Islam, was traveling by land from Kalafo, an Ethiopian border town, to visit [...]]]> Washington, D.C. — International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that members of the Al-Qaeda linked Somali Islamist group, Al-Shabaab, publicly executed a Christian convert from Islam in the in Hudur district, Somalia on July 1st.

Muhammad Guul Hashim Idiris, a Christian convert from Islam, was traveling by land from Kalafo, an Ethiopian border town, to visit his mother in Mogadishu.

A fellow passenger recognized his Christian background and asked him if he thought the prophet Muhammad was a genuine messenger from God. Idiris responded by saying, “If I thought so, I would have believed in him instead of the Messiah.”

Once they reached the Hudur district, a stronghold of the Al- Shabaab terror network, the Muslim man reported Idiris to Al-Shabaab and had him detained on June 27th. Idiris was accused of insulting the prophet Muhammad. It is a serious sin to consider Muhammad not to be a genuine prophet and it warrants the death penalty.

Sheik Adan Yare, the Al-Shabab governor of the Bakol region, spoke to the press on July 1st and said, “Our holy warriors have today, on July 1st at 11: 45 am, executed in front of angry Muslim witnesses a young man whose name was Muhammad Guul Hashim Idiris who insulted our beloved prophet.”

The execution, which took place at a make-shift soccer stadium, was attended by hundreds of people, including school children who were forced to watch the execution.

The martyr had been married since January 26th and is survived by his pregnant widow.

Idiris’ paternal uncle and a Christian convert from Islam spoke to ICC from Addis Ababa, calling the Al-Shabaab execution “further evidence of Al-Shabaab’s attempt to eliminate Christianity from among Somali people in the Horn of Africa.”

Jonathan Racho, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, said “We are deeply saddened by yet another execution of a Somali Christian. Al-Shabaab and Islamic extremist groups in Somalia have repeatedly vowed to wipe out Christians from Somalia. Al-Shabaab has murdered several Christians, chopped off the hands of Muslims suspected of crimes and even stoned Muslim women to death for allegedly committing adultery. The cruel and inhumane action of Al-Shabaab shows its complete disregard for human life.

Sajid Hameed Bajwa accused Rehmat Masih of blaspheming the prophet Muhammad. According to article 295 C of Pakistan’s penal code, blaspheming Muhammad [...]]]> Washington, D.C. – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Pakistani Christian was imprisoned on June 19 and faces the death penalty after a Muslim man accused him of blasphemy in Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Sajid Hameed Bajwa accused Rehmat Masih of blaspheming the prophet Muhammad. According to article 295 C of Pakistan’s penal code, blaspheming Muhammad is punishable by death.

Rehmat’s son, Boota Masih, told ICC that the family is fearful of attacks by Muslim mobs. Female members of the family and their children have already left their homes and moved to other areas because of safety concerns.

He also said that the real reason for the accusation stems from a land dispute between his father and Muslims. This has been awaiting trial for sometime.

Rehmat is held at the District Jail Faisalabad. He has not been tortured or mistreated by police.

Boota told ICC, “We want to make peace. We don’t want to leave our home. We have been living here for long time. We own property in this place. We want peace and justice and my father should be set free from jail.”

Several Pakistani Christians have been falsely accused of blasphemy by Muslims. The charges have resulted in mob violence against the accused and other Christians. In August 2009, 11 Christians were killed by Muslim mobs in Gojra, Pakistan after accusation of blasphemy.

ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, Jonathan Racho, said “Once again, Muslims are using the blasphemy law in order to settle a personal vendetta. We are extremely concerned for the safety of Rehmat and his family as well as other Christians in the area. We urge Pakistan to protect the Christians from any attacks by Muslims and to immediately release Rehmat.”

Please contact the Pakistani embassy in your countries and politely ask the Pakistani officials to release Rehmat and protect his family and property from any attacks. When you call the embassies, give them the following information: the name of the victim (Rehmat Masih), the name of the police station where he is detained (District Jail Faisalabad) and the names of the police officers in charge of the police station (Qaisar Mushtaq and Sardar Dogar).

Pakistani Embassies:

USA: (202) 243-3254 (phone), (202) 686-1534 (Fax)
Canada: (613) 238-7881 (phone), (613) 238-7298 (Fax)
UK: 0870-005-6967 (phone)

However, Judge James L. Ryan recommended a rehearing with the full Sixth Circuit panel of Judges [...]]]> WASHINGTON /Christian Newswire/ — The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that the purpose of the Ten Commandments display placed in the Courts of McCreary and Pulaski Counties is religious and it violated the Establishment Clause of the Constitution.

However, Judge James L. Ryan recommended a rehearing with the full Sixth Circuit panel of Judges because of several other rulings by the court which had different outcomes. Judge Ryan said, “Perhaps the panel will reconsider an en banc hearing in this case.”

Mathew Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University Law School said, “The Ten Commandments are a part of the fabric of our country. They are as much at home in display about the foundations of law as the stars and stripes are in the flag. The Founding Fathers would be outraged that we are even debating the constitutionality of the Ten Commandments.”

Don Swarthout, President of Christians Reviving America’s Values said, “These rulings against the Ten Commandments and against Christianity are nothing but ludicrous. Since when did we make the Federal Courts out to be the thought police? How can the Federal Courts say the thinking of our Founding Fathers was unconstitutional, when it was our Founding Fathers who thought out our Constitution before they wrote it?”

A quote attributed to John Quincy Adams said, “The greatest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.” Swarthout said, “That seems pretty clear about what the thoughts of our Founding Fathers actually were when they wrote the Constitution.

Jesus said in Matthew 22:21, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are Gods. Jesus gave both Christianity and government validity in that sentence. Jesus was telling us, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which make up the principles of good civil government; and render unto God the things which make up the principles of Christianity.

Swarthout said, “From John Quincy Adams and Jesus Christ we should understand the principles of good civil government and the principles of Christianity are exactly the same. We should not have any battles between government and Christianity. How would our courts rule on that argument?”

USATF Media has not responded to emails asking for details on why a press pass for the USA Championships was denied. The meet will [...]]]> MADISON, Wisc. /Christian Newswire/ — For the first time in eight years, USA Track and Field (USATF) has denied Steve McConkey, President of 4 WINDS, a press pass to the USA Championships.

USATF Media has not responded to emails asking for details on why a press pass for the USA Championships was denied. The meet will be held in Des Moines, Iowa on June 23-27.

Recently, 4 WINDS worked on the following:

4 WINDS put 27 USA athlete testimonies into the underground Chinese church, 100 million strong, before and during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Four Olympians who had testimonies distributed into the underground church won 3 golds and 2 silvers. Only two of those athletes were predicted to win medals. All athletes were updated periodically on the status of their testimonies months before and during the Olympics. Only one athlete complained and that athlete’s testimony was removed immediately.

Initially, the testimonies of the athletes were on the ministry website. They were free to be used by Christians throughout the world. Three Christian organizations asked to take them into China. 4 WINDS allowed all organizations or youth groups to use the testimonies. Some of the testimonies are currently on the BeyondTheUltimate.org site sponsored by Athletes in Action.

Also, Christian testimonies of athletes were given to various publications throughout the world for eight years. 4 WINDS has never charged money for the testimonies. Last month, 4 WINDS provided a major Christian publication with 1972 800m gold medalist Dave Wottle’s testimony.

In 2003, ChristianInvestigator.com, the news-apologetics website of 4 WINDS, was the only organization that protested the IOC decision to allow transgender athletes in the Olympics. The debate was re-ignited after Caster Semenya (South Africa) won the 2009 World Championships 800m for women. The case is currently being decided by the International Association of Athletic Federations.

During fall 2009, ChristianInvestigator.com protested that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was working closely with the United Nations (UN) in promoting political causes, after the UN gave the IOC observer status. During that time, the IOC urged athletes to speak up for global warming despite questionable science practices. Again, ChristianInvestigator.com was the only organization that protested. The IOC should be neutral in politics, but history shows this has not always been the case.

Mumtaz Masih, pastor of the Full Gospel Church of Pakistan, and his wife Noreen came under attack after Muslims accused them of evangelism.

Imam Maqsood Ahmed allegedly led the assault, [...]]]> Washington, D.C. – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on June 3, fourteen Muslims attacked a pastor, his pregnant wife, and his brother in Sahiwal, Pakistan.

Mumtaz Masih, pastor of the Full Gospel Church of Pakistan, and his wife Noreen came under attack after Muslims accused them of evangelism.

Imam Maqsood Ahmed allegedly led the assault, injuring the pastor’s legs and his wife’s hands and belly. The younger brother of the pastor was ambushed when he went to get medical help for his wounded brother and sister-in-law.

The Christians complained about the attacks to the police, but the police took no action against the perpetrators.

ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, Jonathan Racho, said, “We strongly condemn the violence against pastor Mumtaz and his family. Pakistani Christians come under attack from Muslims for expressing their faith in Christ. In our conversation with Pastor Mumtaz and many other persecuted Christians in Pakistan, the persecuted believers have repeatedly told us their determination to stand for their faith despite the persecution.”

Please contact the embassy of Pakistan in your country and ask the Pakistani officials to bring the perpetrators of the attack against pastor Mumtaz and his family to justice.

Pakistani Embassies:

USA:       (202) 243-3254 (phone), (202) 686-1534 (Fax)
Canada: (613) 238-7881 (phone), (613) 238-7298 (Fax)
UK:         0870-005-6967 (phone)

The Islamists [...]]]> Washington, D.C. – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on May 28, twelve heavily armed Muslim men attacked a pastor and his family in Smundri, Pakistan. Pastor Mubarak Masih and his family were assaulted after Shaid Masih, the pastor’s 13-year-old nephew, refused to read verses from the Qur’an despite pressure from his teacher.

The Islamists beat the pastor’s head with sticks and rods; almost killed his brother when they shot him, grazing his head and causing a minor injury; and broke their mother’s left arm.

In a statement to ICC, the family said that Zufair Gujhar, Shaid’s teacher, is a fundamentalist Muslim who routinely forces Christian students to read the Qur’an and other Islamic books. He pressures his Christian students to accept Islam.

Pastor Mubarak, a pastor of the Church of God, said, “We will continue our mission work at any cost and no one can stop us.”

The family reported the incident to the police but they have not yet taken any action against the alleged perpetrators.

ICC’s Regional Manager for South Asia, Jonathan Racho, said, “The violent attack against Pastor Mubarak and his family as well as the beating of Shaid for refusing to read the Qur’an is another demonstration of the dire situation in which Christians find themselves in Pakistan. We are saddened by the utter disregard of the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan.”

Please contact the embassy of Pakistan in your country and ask the Pakistani officials to bring Zufair Gujhar and the other 12 perpetrators of this attack to justice.

Pakistani Embassies:

USA:       (202) 243-3254 (phone), (202) 686-1534 (Fax)
Canada: (613) 238-7881 (phone), (613) 238-7298 (Fax)
UK:          0870-005-6967 (phone)